58 THE EPHEMERID^:. 



called the September blue is very prevalent 

 during the whole of autumn. It is very small 

 and nearly white. The iron blue, or Scotchman, 

 is one of the most delicate and beautiful of water 

 flies. It is most abundant, on cold days, from 

 the middle of April to the middle of May, but 

 it is occasionally on the water through the rest 

 of the season. Its imitation is in great repute, 

 being on many rivers what the May-fly is on 

 others one of the best and most favourite 

 flies. Its little body and wings are very dark 

 blue, and its legs yellow. After casting its skin 

 it appears in the very different garb of the white 

 or silver spinner the imitation of which is 

 chiefly used in summer evening fishing. Of the 

 British ephemeridse the largest is E. vulgata 

 the May-fly. This beautiful insect, though 

 totally unknown in many rivers, literally swarms 

 in others. It usually appears towards the end 

 of May, and continues in season about a month. 

 It is greedily taken by trout, which soon give 

 ample proof of its nutritious qualities ; and its 

 imitation particularly if dressed smaller than 

 usual may be very successfully used, especially 

 in windy weather. In its first winged state it 

 is known by the name of the green drake. The 

 female changes to the grey drake, and the male 



